The big three races in Australia are the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. They are getting closer to being run and won, and over the next few weeks, Justhorseracing will have a look at a couple of key runners for each race that are scheduled to run on the weekend.
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Caulfield Cup:
Volkstok’n’barrell
Caulfield Cup Price @ $21 – Sportsbet
Next Race Start: Underwood Stakes (1800m), September 26, Caulfield
Comment: Classy galloper for Donna Logan who is a multiple Group l winner. He ran very well first up in the Memsie (1400m), then was completely luckless in the Makybe Diva (1600m) behind Fawkner, going half paced on the line. He has alot of natural brilliance and third up now from a break, he should be ready to show his best.
Foundry
Caulfield Cup Price @ $51 – Sportsbet
Next Race Start: Harry White Classic (2400m), September 26, Caulfield
Comment: He has been a little bit of an enigma to follow, but his last start effort in the Kingston Town (2000m) at Rosehill was excellent. Probably needs to win this to have any chance of making the Caulfield Cup field, but he is getting better with each run under the belt and looks well placed to win this Saturday.
Cox Plate:
Fawkner
Cox Plate Price @ $7 – Sportsbet
Next Race Start: Underwood Stakes (1800m), September 26, Caulfield
Comment: Probably sits alongside Kermadec as the best horse in Australia at the moment. The ride he got from Ollie won him the Makybe Diva (1600m) first up, running home in slick time. He is ticking over beautifully for the Cox Plate, and if he wins here, he will jump ahead of Kermadec as favourite for the WFA championship.
The Cleaner
Cox Plate Price @ $21 – Sporstbet
Next Race Start: Underwood Stakes (1800m), September 26, Caulfield
Comment: ‘The Lion Of Longford’ has been outstanding in two runs this time in. He was pipped right on the peg by Mourinho first up in the P.B. Lawrence before making it back-to-back wins in the Dato Tan Chin Nam (1600m), securing his spot in the Cox Plate. He will take some beating this weekend, and if he runs well, as expected, he should come in from $21 to about $15-$17.
Melbourne Cup:
Dandino
Melbourne Cup Price @ $34 – Sportsbet
Next Race Start: Underwood Stakes (1800m), September 26, Caulfield
Comment: Ran poorly in the 2014 Melbourne Cup, and the rule normally is that if a horse has contested a Cup and failed, put the line through them as a Cup contender in the future, but this horse was a real eye catcher behind Fawkner in the Makybe Diva (1600m), going to the line under a hold. I doubt he can win this Saturday, but look for him to warm up late.
Magicool
Melbourne Cup Price @ $51 – Sportsbet
Next Race Start: Underwood Stakes (1800m), September 26, Caulfield
Comment: His two runs this time in have been pretty good without setting off the alarms. He is getting fitter and will improve IMO on Saturday. Stable is having a very tough time at the moment, but this horse is a Group l winner who will be at his best over a staying trip and at handicap level, so a bit like Dandino, look for him to work home late this weekend.